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Fixing a faulty microphone is one of the hardest things to do as a content creator because it plays a huge role in the recording, filming, and sound modulation of your projects. After spending too much money on the latest and most durable brands, unexpected occurrences can still cause it to malfunction. Unfortunately, microphones are the most susceptible to have faulty issues due to their continuous use.
But do not panic! A defective mic isn’t necessarily broken. It can usually mean that there is trapped dust or fluids inside the diaphragm. It can be easily remedied through thorough cleaning and by allowing it to dry. Although most people are confident enough with their skills and experience to tinker with their mics, many are still anxious to open them and check for the sources of the malfunction. If you’re uncertain, there are many ways that can help you with your mic problem.
Microphone not working? Here’s how to fix it.
Replacing or fixing a faulty microphone isn’t always the solution, especially if you’re still starting your career as a content creator. Not to mention, there aren’t many available stocks in the market and it’s time-consuming to wait for the next batch or purchase a much more expensive or cheaper brand.
But how can you know that your mic is already reaching its limit?
A very straightforward way is to check all the visible indications that your mic is already prone to damage. Check the XLR input pins, which are located at the bottom of the gadget, to see if none of these are broken or bent. These XLR inputs are crucial because it provides a clean audio transfer and conversion from the diaphragm to the application which reads it like an electrical current.
Also, check the diaphragm if there are signs of corrosion. Microphones have metals as their diaphragm, and due to factors such as sweat, saliva, humidity, and other environmental factors, the mic’s backplate and diaphragm can corrode.
Moreover, if you have the means to open your mic, check the electronics inside and see if all the wires are still properly soldered and connected in place.
When we talk about frequency response, it’s one of the features of a microphone that captures sound from a specific distance. Hence, a faulty microphone is unable to pick up all sorts of frequencies from its surroundings. One common indication is when the sound you hear from a mic is dull because the intended frequency for that audio to sound better wasn’t captured or recorded.
In this regard, a frequency response test is done to determine whether you have good quality or broken microphone. It involves recording live performances, recording proximity voices, analyzing the EQ parameters, and comparing it with the standard data.
A faulty microphone typically shows low-frequency gain in the EQ curve. Due to this, the overall dB of the mic was not met causing the recorded audio to sound dull.
After conducting a preliminary check-up to see what is the problem with your mic, you can now proceed to fix it. However, to people who are new to the industry, or some of the veterans, manually opening the hardware of your broken microphone is not a forte they wish to discover.
But if you’re willing to do it, all you need to have is a soldering iron and solder, screwdriver, voltage meters, needle nose pliers, and internal hardware you wish to replace.
But take note that every type of microphone has its special method of fixing. Here are the general things you need to remember in fixing a faulty microphone of any type.
The general causes of a faulty microphone involve hygiene-related factors, plus environmental interferences. To maintain the functionality of your mic, proper cleaning and maintenance should be done. Not only will it boost the longevity of your device, but also keep the audio quality high.
Studio recordings rely heavily on condenser microphones due to their sensitive frequency response and well-rounded polar pattern. Here are a few ideas to help you maintain your condenser functioning for a longer period.
Dynamic mics go through a lot of physical activity, especially on stage, but still are capable of producing the sound quality we want. However, it also makes it more susceptible to malfunction. Factors such as spit, sweat, lipstick, grime, and a variety of other unwanted elements accumulate on your microphone’s grille, diaphragm, and windscreen night after night.
In case it needs cleaning, here are some things you can do.
As a vintage-looking microphone, it needs extra care to prevent it from malfunctioning due to different external factors like humidity. Here are some techniques you can apply to maintain the longevity of a ribbon mic.
Fixing a faulty microphone is proven to be a tedious task. Most of the time, you will choose to buy a new one than spend more money on trying to fix your faulty mic. While this may sound be the most logical thing to do, you should still check the scope of the damage and see what alternative you can arrive with.
Needless to say, no matter what brand of microphone you bought, it still has limitations which we should always take into consideration. Otherwise, we’ll only feel disappointed if it didn’t meet our expectations.
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